Press Releasse: Digital agenda: Commission urges Estonia to ensure impartial regulation in telecoms sector

The European Commission has sent a formal request to Estonia to comply with EU rules that require a clear separation between the bodies which regulate telecoms markets and those providing telecoms services. This separation is essential to preserve the impartiality of national telecoms regulators, guaranteeing fair regulation for consumers and businesses and maintaining competition.

The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Estonia in September 2011 for not respecting the principle of separation between management of telecoms rules and ownership of the entity which provides telecoms services.

The formal request to Estonia takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under EU infringement rules. Estonia has two months to inform the Commission of measures taken to comply with EU rules. If it fails to do so, the Commission may refer Estonia to the EU's Court of Justice.